Calipari to Kentucky(?), Bennett to Virginia: The impact out west

Back from my final day of furlough and ramping up coverage of the Final Four, post-season basketball and spring football. But the coaching carousel had to be the first topic, given the developments Monday.

Not surprising: John Calipari interested in Kentucky.

Surprising: Kentucky’s reported offer of $5 mill/year.

(That’s even more than the top-end college football coaches make — take that, Saban! — and bball salaries have generally trailed those for football.)

Very surprising: Tony Bennett takes the Virginia job.

I figured Bennett would be in Pullman for a few years after he opted to re-sign with WSU last spring instead of pursuing/taking other jobs (LSU, Indiana). And he has a very good freshman class.

His replacement will be walking into a decent situation with Klay Thompson and DeAngelo Casto.

As for that replacement … the Cougars are reportedly interested in Portland State coach/ex-Washington assistant Ken Bone, who’s well regarded in the industry and is well-versed in recruiting the Pacific Northwest.

You have to think a few WCC coaches might be interested (Randy Bennett?), (Kerry Keating?), (Eric Reveno?) — WSU is a better job than it was five years ago, thanks to the Bennetts.

I also wonder if Dan Monson, the former Gonzaga coach now at Long Beach State, would be interested in getting back to the Northwest and breaking into the Pac-10. (That would add a few volts to the WSU-Gonzaga rivalry.)

Update: The Seattle Times has reported that WSU plans to talk to former Gonzaga assistant Bill Grier — so Grier and Bone are confirmed candidates, the only two so far.

The Calipari situation — let’s assume, for the moment, that he takes the Kentucky job and the $5 million with it — could have huge implications for the Pac-10, and especially Arizona, by:

1. Reducing by one the names on Arizona’s short list.

The Cats want a heavy hitter, and very few of the elite coaches would be willing to leave their current positions.

Arizona isn’t going to get Bill Self or Jim Calhoun or Roy Williams, but there was some thought in Tucson that Calipari might be interested.

(One of his assistants, Josh Pastner, was on Lute Olson’s staff and is well thought of by Arizona officials.)

2. Increasing the chances that Rick Pitino, also on the Cats’ short list — and possibly at the top of it — stays at Louisville.

Calipari and Pitino used to be friends but haven’t gotten along in recent years. A Calipari move from Memphis to Kentucky would be a direct challenge to Pitino and, I’d think, make the uber-competitive Pitino think three times (if he was even thinking twice) about leaving Louisville.

2a. Then again, Calipari’s arrival in Lexington could have the opposite effect.

Maybe it prompts Pitino to move on — leave for a school and a state where he’s the undisputed king. That’s what Arizona has to be rooting for, and it’ll be fascinating to watch it play out.

3. Raising the price tag for Pitino, Tom Izzo, Jamie Dixon, Jay Wright … any and all of the top-tier coaches the Cats plan to pursue.

If it was going to cost $2.5 or 3 million annually to get Pitino/Izzo/Dixon/Wright, it might cost $3.5 or 4 … or more.

Pitino and Izzo have won national titles; Calipari hasn’t

(You have to think all college coaches are cheering Calipari’s $5 mill/year deal, because it raises the bar at the top of the profession, which eventually raises it in the middle and at the bottom.)

4. Potentially luring Tim Floyd away from USC.

I’d imagine that Floyd might be interested in the Memphis job: He’s from Mississippi and would be the biggest show on campus, something he’ll never be at USC.

And if Floyd left, it could start another chain reaction that could shake things up in the Pac-10, WCC and/or WAC

Jon Wilner

Post navigation

He had his chance when he was at Gonzaga…and between he and his father Don Monson he was led to believe that you can’t win at WSU…on to the Minnesota Gophers he went instead (and we all know how that worked out). Let him “rot” at Long Beach State! He snubbed us back then and Tony Bennett, lied to us and then left us. It’s the “way” he did it that burns me and other Cougar supporters. He suggested he had different personal characteristics…I guess not.

We do thank him for what he and his dad, Dick, did for the Wazzzu Cougar basketball program. And most of us also felt that he would move on sometime. However, this thing has been portrayed as sudden and a spur of the moment decision…I don’t buy it…Tony was too disciplined in his thinking, planning and game preparation…a consumate analytical…this has been going on for some time and maybe concealed. Adios!!

GO COUGS!!

mike w

Jon, why the surprise at Bennett’s move? I think UVA’s a hidden gem and potentially the ACC’s third or fourth best job (if Al Groh can get Top 5 football classes there, the right coach can get hoop studs as well). Also, it’s a well known fact that Bennett and his wife prefer quiet towns and Charlottesville certainly fits the bill. As for Wazzu, gotta think Randy Bennett and Bill Grier are on the short list for that job.

UA better open the vault for Mark Few before they get left at the alter. Can’t see the Pittino’s leaving L’ville….yet.

Idaho Nick

And Pullman is sooo noisy! But VA’s a better job, no doubt.

Steve T

My choice for WSU, give a look at Stu Morrill at Utah State, 237-86 in 10 years, 9 straight 20 win seasons, 9 straight post seasons, 5 NCAA, 4 NIT. Not Mr. Lovely, but he knows how to win, and live in a small town.

MEG Hoopster

Will the Bennett “style” work at Virginia & the ACC – both on and off the court?

Dubya

Dean Smith ran a four corners offense for years at UNC, but that was in an age before shot clocks, etc.

And if you look at the winners and losers in the ACC (and elsewhere), defense was the winner. UNC has a very talented offense, but it was on defense where they have so far imposed their will. Similarly, Duke and Wake were upset mostly because of poor defense. If you can’t get stops and rebounds, you can’t run out and get easy baskets.

Vintage Cal

Dubya – what ’bout Clemson?!?

GBBS

Will Tony Bennett leave his heart in San Francisco? Sorry, I couldn’t pass that up — sports are slow right now.

Leftcoast

Hey Jon –

Will you give the Final Four bound Stanford women a little love – or is that topic solely Ann Killion’s turf? The storylines are compelling … #1 vs #2, Undefeated UConn vs the team that beat them last, repeat of last years semi-final, Tara vs Gino and an All-American battle of Maya Moore, Renee Montgomery and Tina Charles vs Jayne Appel.

It will be interesting to see if Stanford’s team built around the big front court players can repeat the result of last year’s team built around guards JJ Hones and Candice Wiggins. It should be an epic battle.

Leftcoast

Sports are SLOW right now? You must be from Berkeley.

NorCal Tree

Props for the Stanford Women are deserved LC! I don’t expect them from Wilner though. He and Kawakami have taken issue with Stanford and Bowlsby ever since we passed over Chow for Harbaugh.

As for the UofA job, if Pitino stays to challenge Calipari, then does Monty get the nod to lead the Cats? There is much respect between Lute and Monty and the purse strings and program are a step up over Berkeley. Could be interesting…

milo

Hahaha NorCal. You really think after decamping from Furd, settling in Berkeley and a solid season Monty would just leave for UA?

Is that your Stanfurd education kicking in or are you Bob Bowlsby’s brain using wry logic and analysis? It could only be interesting if we knew what you were smoking.

Leftcoast

I’ve been wrong before but Montgomery and his family love the Bay Area and don’t need cash. He’s turned down other offers to stay in the Bay Area and I think it would take a lot to get him to UofA.

Of course Calipari type money might do it – but even that’s not a slam dunk. MM already cashed in and his last three jobs were picked to keep his family in place. Think of it this way – he even moved to CAL to keep from having to move. His stay at home desire must be very, very strong.

mk92

I’d be surprised if Monty went to UofA. He’s not the type to leave a program after just a year. Also, he would not be a long-term solution for the Cats; I’d expect they’d want someone younger.

milo

I think Mark Few is in the range of UA. Consistent winner, could build around him. If he jumped they could get 15-20 years from him. The thing is, would he jump? He might fall into the Monty camp of staying at home. Eastern Washington is a nice safe place and money goes a long way.

JW’s post awhile back ranking the value of college hoops program (with UA at #6) suggests UA is going to drop serious coin and they want at least 10 year.